Fodor's Expert Review Beamish, the Living Museum of the North
Made up of buildings found on-site or moved from elsewhere in the region, this sprawling, award-winning complex—which celebrated its 50th year in 2020—explores the way people in the Northeast lived and worked from the early 1800s to the mid-1900s. A vintage bus and a streetcar take you around the site to various points of interest, including a farm estate; a pit village and colliery; and an entire 1920s town complete with a bank, convenience store, and Masonic hall. Everything is staffed by workers in period costumes, and you can buy era-appropriate food and drinks in the pub, bakery, and "sweet shop" (candy store). As well as the permanent exhibits, there are special events year-round, from weekend-long festivals, where you're encouraged to come in old-style fancy dress, to traditional English celebrations such as May Day and Harvest Festival. Beamish is nine miles northwest of Durham. You can spend at least half a day here, and tickets are valid for a whole year in case you want... READ MORE
Made up of buildings found on-site or moved from elsewhere in the region, this sprawling, award-winning complex—which celebrated its 50th year in 2020—explores the way people in the Northeast lived and worked from the early 1800s to the mid-1900s. A vintage bus and a streetcar take you around the site to various points of interest, including a farm estate; a pit village and colliery; and an entire 1920s town complete with a bank, convenience store, and Masonic hall. Everything is staffed by workers in period costumes, and you can buy era-appropriate food and drinks in the pub, bakery, and "sweet shop" (candy store). As well as the permanent exhibits, there are special events year-round, from weekend-long festivals, where you're encouraged to come in old-style fancy dress, to traditional English celebrations such as May Day and Harvest Festival. Beamish is nine miles northwest of Durham. You can spend at least half a day here, and tickets are valid for a whole year in case you want to return.
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